Cleveland, OH - Media Reviews

Def Leppard At Richfield Coliseum By Cleveland Plain Dealer

Def Leppard, the British band that wouldn't stay down for the count, made a triumphant return to the Coliseum Tuesday, its first show there in 4 and a half years.

Elliott's tenor voice is a little gruff around the edges, but it seemed to have more tone than last time around.

The sleaze and tastelessness that often accompanies hard rocking shows was missing here.

But nothing was missing on stage, Steve Clark and Phil Collen's nery guitars bit into such raucous rockers as 'Gods Of War' and 'Animal' whipped along by Rick Savage's relentless bass.

And perched above them all, pounding out the beat in a revolving set in the center of the stage, was drummer Rick Allen.

'Let It Go' and 'Bringin' On The Heartbreak', both from its earlier 'High 'n' Dry' album, showed how far the band has progressed from the early heavy metal days.

Clark sat on the stage with his double-necked guitar and Collen stood and played his acoustic one for 'Heartbreak'.

Lovely, Elliott had said the band would do the song in a brand new way for them.

'Let It Go' had about everything a rock song needs, short snappy words, variety of pace and a rousing spirit.

The light show was superb, not overdone.

Only the lasers spelling out the word 'Hysteria' on two small screens seemed a little forced.

By Cleveland Plain Dealer 1988.

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